Following a sixteen-year battle to stay in the UK, as well as enduring slavery as a victim of human trafficking, homelessness and an eventual meteoric rise to represent England in the ring, Boxing star, Bilal Fawaz, is taking the next step with his first professional fight against Vladimir Fleischhauer at Bethnal Green’s York Hall, February 11th, 2022.

Originally from Lago, Nigeria, and becoming the ABA Champion in 2012, he fought six times for the country that still saw him as a refugee, following a continuous battle with authorities to receive a passport and citizenship. Now, with the legal right to work in the UK, he is geared up to take over with a ferocious, natural talent born out of extreme adversity.

With the pandemic putting a pause on all sporting events; the time has allowed Bilal to maximise on his formidable skill with extended training periods. With his eye now firmly on the future, his dedication has made him ready to step into his rightful role as the new face of British Boxing.

Bilal says: “This is the moment I have been waiting for my whole life. I will make Great Britain proud and from that glory, I’ll know it was all worth it.”

Bilal will appear on Good Morning Britain in February 2022.